What do you do when that stupid thing you said gets circulated all over the Internet?
Release a (sort of) apology statement!
Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries‘ remarks about not wanting overweight people to wear his company’s clothes have gone viral, and prompted a young man to rebrand the retailer by donating thrifted Abercrombie duds to homeless people.
Even Kirstie Alley spoke up about it!
Naturally, the PR firm that represents the brand had to come up with an attempt at damage control –and here it is!
In a statement posted to the company’s Facebook page, Jeffries says:
“I want to address some of my comments that have been circulating from a 2006 interview. While I believe this 7 year old, resurrected quote has been taken out of context, I sincerely regret that my choice of words was interpreted in a manner that has caused offense. A&F is an aspirational brand that, like most specialty apparel brands, targets its marketing at a particular segment of customers. However, we care about the broader communities in which we operate and are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion. We hire good people who share these values. We are completely opposed to any discrimination, bullying, derogatory characterizations or other anti-social behavior based on race, gender, body type or other individual characteristics.”
Ah, the “taken out of context” defense. CLASSIC!
We’re not buying it, but maybe all the backlash will finally prompt the company to less exclusionary toward all body types and add sizes larger than a size 10.
What do U think of the apology???
[Image via WENN.]
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